The Past, The Present
Regulatory reforms are gaining pace in the developing world, with an increasing number of countries enacting competition and sectoral regulatory laws. However, there is a severe shortage of institutional capacity to both implement the reforms and facilitate the spread of knowledge on regulatory matters in developing countries.

Current efforts are largely piece-meal and fragmented. Adequate emphasis is not given on learning from cross-sectoral and cross-country experiences. There is a clear gap in terms of research and its utilisation in course curri-culum. Even the approach taken by the existing training programmes is not as broad based, as it should be.

With this backdrop, CUTS has initiated the inception of the CUTS Institute for Regulation and Competition (CIRC) at Jaipur, India, which aims to fill in the prevailing gaps and enhance knowledge on regulatory issues.

CUTS, The parent body
Established in 1984, Consumer Unity and Trust Society (CUTS) has built up a formidable reputation as a leading research, advocacy and networking group engaged on issues of international trade and development, competition, investment, economic regulation, human development and consumer protection. It has five overseas centres: two in Africa, one in the UK., one in Vietnam and one in Geneva with staff strength of over 100 persons.

The Perspective
The aim is to offer educational and training programmes on the referred subjects, while maintaining international standards

• Facilitate research to enhance understanding and explore inter-disciplinary linkages among the identified subjects

• Create and maintain a knowledge database

• Offer consultancy services to governments, regulators, business, etc.

Customer-Focused Approach
Cater to specific needs by offering customised training programmes.

Who is it meant for?
It will focus on civil servants, staff of regulatory bodies, civil society organisations, researchers, professionals and busi-ness. Career aspirants will also be amongst the target clients.

The Difference
The Real thing: Local content in course curriculum (real life situations) will be the basis of the study material
Quality Matters: Global quality standards and Inter-disciplinary approach will form the basis for all disciplines
Widening Horizons: CIRC will employ a multi-stakeholder approach and in doing so aim to maintain a rich tapestry of resources both in terms of faculty and institutional affiliations.

CIRC Core Activities
CIRC will offer a wide range of programmes aimed at the existing scenario and will cater to the unmet demand of trained personnel in the following areas:

• Economic Regulation

• Competition Policy and Law

• Commercial Diplomacy

The Approach
Lectures, case analysis, interaction with experts will be used as tools to provide strategic understanding, develop core skills and encourage in-depth knowledge of the dynamics involved.

Online courses will be offered utilising techniques that will be relevant and adapted to the particular needs of recipients. In doing so the aim is to share knowledge, exchange experiences and build networks.

Product Range
To begin with, short on-line courses and week-long seminars will be offered. As CIRC matures it will provide various options in a phased manner: Certificate courses, Master's degree and Doctoral programmes.

Training courses for practitioners will be a special feature wherein modules will be crafted in specification to their needs and demand.

Conferences/Seminars/Workshops will be the media through which the CIRC programme will be promoted. Besides this and much more the Institute will extend profes-sional expertise through Research Journals, Policy Briefs, etc.

CIRC will offer Consultancy services to regulatory bodies, governments and business as a service.

The Cutting Edge
The Learning Network
While drawing from experiences of developing countries will be a unique feature of CIRC, the qua-lity of educational and training programmes will be at par with the developed countries. This will be achieved through association with renowned western universities/institutions in the identified subjects. The course curriculum will be designed jointly by CIRC and the respective university/institute.

The Guides
CIRC will offer a practical focus on learning. The faculty on board will explore the challenges involved in relation to real life experiences. Emphasis will be laid on the key issues, supported by research.

Visiting fellows, both academics and practitioners, will be available at the Institute for delivering lectures, offering expert views on course development, writing papers, developing training modules and conducting training programmes. CIRC will eventually have a core faculty for teaching, research, and training assignments.

The Governance Structure
The Academic Council and a Managing Committee have been formalised. An 18-member Governing Council has been formed, which includes several eminent persons: economists, judges and former civil servants as its members.

Delhi Office

CUTS Institute for Regulation & Competition
R-75, 1st Floor, Greater Kailash I
New Delhi 110 048, India
Ph: +91.11.26463021
Fx: +91.11.40535921
Email: circ@circ.in
Web: www.circ.in

 Jaipur Office

CUTS Institute for Regulation & Competition
D-217 Bhaskar Marg, Bani Park,
Jaipur - 302016, India
Ph: +91 141 228 2821
Fx: +91 141 228 2485
E-mail: circ@cuts.org

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